Book of Haggai

Summary of the Book of Haggai

This summary of the book of Haggai provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme,
theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Haggai.

Author

Haggai
(1:1) was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, encouraged the returned exiles
to rebuild the temple (see Ezr 5:1-2; 6:14). Haggai means "festal," which may
indicate that the prophet was born during one of the three pilgrimage feasts
(Unleavened Bread, Pentecost or Weeks, and Tabernacles; cf. Dt 16:16). Based
on 2:3 (see note there) Haggai may have witnessed the destruction of Solomon's
temple. If so, he must have been in his 70s during his ministry.

Background

In 538 b.c. the conqueror of Babylon, Cyrus king of Persia, issued a decree
allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (see Ezr 1:2-4; 6:3-5). Led by Zerubbabel (but see note on Ezr 1:8, "Sheshbazzar"), about 50,000
Jews journeyed home and began work on the temple. About two years later (536)
they completed the foundation amid great rejoicing (Ezr 3:8-11). Their success
aroused the Samaritans and other neighbors who feared the political and religious
implications of a rebuilt temple in a thriving Jewish state. They therefore
opposed the project vigorously and managed to halt work until 520, after Darius
the Great became king of Persia in 522 (Ezr 4:1-5,24).

Darius was interested in the religions of his empire, and Haggai and Zechariah
began to preach in his second year, 520 b.c. (see 1:1; Zec 1:1). The Jews were
more to blame for their inactivity than their opponents, and Haggai tried to
arouse them from their lethargy. When the governor of Trans-Euphrates and other
officials tried to interfere with the rebuilding efforts, Darius fully supported
the Jews (Ezr 5:3-6; 6:6-12). In 516 the temple was finished and dedicated
(Ezr 6:15-18).

Date

Haggai's messages are among the most carefully and precisely dated in the
entire OT. They were given during a four-month period in 520 b.c., the second
year of King Darius. The first message was delivered on the first day of the
sixth month (Aug. 29), the last on the 24th day of the ninth month (Dec. 18).
See notes on 1:1; 2:1,10; see also Introduction to Zechariah: Dates.

Themes and Theological Teaching

Apart from Obadiah, Haggai is the shortest book in the OT, but its teachings
are none the less significant. Haggai clearly shows the consequences of disobedience
(1:6,11; 2:16-17) and obedience (2:7-9,19). When the people give priority to God and his house, they are blessed rather than cursed (cf. Lk 12:31 and note).
Obedience brings the encouragement and strength of the Spirit of God (2:4-5).

In ch. 2 God gives great encouragement to those laboring under difficult
conditions to rebuild his temple by assuring them that the future glory of
the modest temple they are able to build will be greater than that of the temple
Solomon had built in the time of Israel's greatest wealth and power. The Jews
in Judah may now be a much reduced community and under the hegemony of a powerful
world empire, but the Lord will shake up the present world order and assert
his claim to all the world's wealth so that the glory of his future temple
will be without rival. "The desired of all nations will come, and I will fill
this house with glory" (see 2:6-7 and notes).

Literary Features

Like Malachi, Haggai uses a number of questions to highlight key issues (see
1:4,9; 2:3,19). He also makes effective use of repetition: "Give careful thought"
occurs in 1:5,7; 2:15,18, and "I am with you" in 1:13; 2:4. "I will shake the heavens and the earth" is found in 2:6,21. The major sections of the book are marked off by the date on which the word of the Lord came "through" (or "to")
Haggai (1:1; 2:1,10,20).

Several times the prophet appears to reflect other passages of Scripture
(compare 1:6 with Dt 28:38-39 and 2:17 with Dt 28:22). The threefold use of
"Be strong" in 2:4 (see note there) echoes the encouragement given in Jos 1:6-7,9,18. (For chiasm see Outline below.)